Ginger Ale Isn't the Key to Calming Your Stomach—Here's Why

Of all the nutrition myths we've inherited over the years, drinking soda—especially ginger ale—to calm an upset stomach is one of the most widespread. But one report finally sets the record straight, with the help of a leading gastroenterologist: ginger ale does not calm queasiness or aid other sickness symptoms. It's ginger that does this best, but ginger and ginger ale are not one in the same.

In fact, guzzling ginger ale when you're suffering from indigestion or nausea could be making your condition worse, says Gina Sam, M.D., a gastroenterologist based in New York City, in an interview with Delish. "I think the myth comes from the name of the beverage," says Dr. Sam. "People assume if it has ginger in the name, it'll likely help their stomachs."

But canned and bottled ginger ale available in most pharmacies and supermarkets are not an unadulterated from of ginger—it's essentially just carbonated soda with ginger "flavors," and it's loaded with sugar. One of the most popular brands of ginger ale on the market will soon bear no reference to "ginger" at all, in fact.

In 2018, a New York-based shopper filed a lawsuit against Canada Dry and its parent company, Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., for not actually using ginger as advertised, according to USA Today. Canada Dry uses phrases like "Made from Real Ginger" on the product's labeling, but a closer look at the ingredients list says otherwise. Carbonated water, sugar, glucose-fructose, citric acid, sodium benzoate, coloring, and "natural flavors" are included, but "ginger" isn't anywhere to be found.

The manufacturers ended up settling the lawsuit and will remove language from packaging that suggests the popular soda actually contains real ginger, or any essence of the ingredient. In fact, Canada Dry is offering refunds for those who have purchased the beverage between 2013 and now. You can start your claim by filling out this class-action settlement form available here.

If you have a receipt to prove you've purchased Canada Dry in the last few years, you're eligible for up to $40 in reimbursement—but even without a receipt, shoppers can receive a maximum $5.20 refund.

"I don't think the public realizes how much sugar and how little ginger is in these beverages," Dr. Sam tells Delish. A single can of commercial-brand ginger ale can have 35g of added sugar and contains "synthetic flavors" that aren't as beneficial as any other form of added ginger.

"The reason we say to avoid sugar when you're fighting a stomach illness is because sugar actually feeds the bad bacteria in your GI tract, causing more bloating, gas, and indigestion," Dr. Sam said. This is also true for artificial sweeteners, which means diet or sugar-free ginger ales can also bring on gas and bloating when you're already feeling sick.

Even with organic products and natural ginger ales, you'll still have to be extra careful to avoid sugar—even just a little bit can negatively impact your intestinal tract and good gut bacteria levels when you’re sick.

The easiest way to safely enjoy the health boost in raw ginger, according to Dr. Sam, is to peel fresh ginger root and mix it into some brewed decaf tea or hot water. You'll enjoy the anti-inflammatory boost associated with ginger, sans extra sugar and gastrointestinal problems.

1) Gin-Gins

If you're adverse to drinking steeped ginger root when you're feeling sick, a few of our editors have a couple of tricks up their sleeve for battling nausea:

Yes, this candy made by The Ginger People does indeed have sugar in it—but when you compare it to a can of ginger ale, 7g of added sugar is a whole lot more manageable. Plus, there are only three ingredients: cane sugar, tapioca starch, and real ginger. Slowly sucking on a piece of candied ginger is a sweet way to help calm your stomach.

If you can't get your hands on a ginger root, many retailers sell pre-packaged ginger tea that can be steeped in hot water to the same effect. Yogi's ginger tea blend is also made with soothing lemongrass, peppermint, and licorice, making the tea flavorful without resorting to high amounts of sugar.

3) Non-Drowsy Dimenhydrinate

Do you totally hate the taste of ginger? Don't worry, you're not alone. When suffering from nausea, Darcy Lenz, the editor at MyRecipes.com, seeks out a small dose of non-drowsy dimenhydrinate, which is often marketed as Dramamine. Most over-the-counter Dramamine products are safe for adults to use to prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness as it relates to motion sickness—but this antihistamine also can do wonders for you if you're feeling nauseous during an illness. Make sure you’re not taking another medication containing antihistamines, as you'll need to stick to a small dose in order to avoid unsafe consumption.